How To Be Lively, Energetic and Vibrant When Your True Nature Is Thoughtful, Introverted and Reticent

While looking up synonyms for energy, I discovered what I have desired my whole life…

VITALITY.

Vibrancy, spirit, liveliness.

People with vitality are magnetic, exuberant and passionate. They have oomph, moxie and verve. They are leaders. They are adventurous. They can do anything.

Unless you are a member of my inner circle or tossed back a few with me in my 20s, then you most likely would not picture me when pondering the words vivacious, exuberant, or bubbly. I tend to hang back and listen in a group. I am not quick on my feet with witty rapport. I digest information and report back later. I don’t bop up and down with bursting enthusiasm (much). I love adventure but am dedicated to responsibilities. I’m happy reading a book for hours. I’ll feel every note of a song but would feel absolutely naked and nervous on stage as a musician. I have many friends but often feel sheepish about my inability to keep up with effusive emails and frequent texts.

In short, I am an introvert. I genuinely like myself.

But I still wish to be more lively, vibrant and full of energy.

How to do that?

I’ve been doing research (consciously and subconsciously) on this question for years. I have found six ways to create extroverted energy, enthusiasm and even effusiveness.

6 Paths to Vibrancy and Big Energy

1. Fitness: I see all of you rolling your eyes. No lectures, just personal experience here.

Hours on the treadmill dogging it are not going to make you sparkle, but challenging yourself and surviving are. I was fortunate enough to have my @ss kicked by a personal trainer for over a year. He pushed me. I fatigued, wanted to throw up and darn near peed my pants during some of our sessions. But I got stronger. Developed agility. Gained confidence in my body.

My trainer also talked me into running (which I never dreamed I could do). I am more Clydesdale than graceful deer but I love the zone I enter when running. Ideas and daydreams bubble up as my feet pound the ground. For introverts I highly recommend personal training (one on one or small groups for maximum comfort levels) and running (can be a solitary or group pursuit and truly revs up the creative juices).

I actually look forward to working out because I know the glow I will have afterward. I know my fitness allows me to move quickly and easily with kinetic energy. I feel alive, lively even.

2. Diet: You are what you eat, right? Do you want to be a lifeless pile of mashed potatoes or a lean springy string bean? We all have our feelings and attachments to food. I love Cool-Whip and big wavy noodles (not together).

learned that food affects mood and energy levels. I now consume food in combinations that will prolong my energy and make me pleasant to be around. For example, if I desire to eat a heap of wavy noodles (and who doesn’t?), I know to cut the carbohydrates with protein, so I throw in some chicken or a scrambled egg. Big tip: eggs and fish are brain food. Consume them and feed all the happy places in your grey matter. Eat a bag of jelly beans and become inert and crabby an hour later. The exact opposite of bubbly and effervescent.

3. See Value in Your Traits:Stop beating yourself up about what you are not or what you can’t handle. Focus on where you shine. Growing up I often felt like I was less than enough because I wasn’t as confident and popular as my sister. I wasn’t as magnetic as my father. No one showed me the value in my strong listening and observation skills. No one gave me an award for intuition or a rich inner life. Honestly, I didn’t even really appreciate my intuition and imagination because I thought everyone possessed the same, if not more, depth.

A weight was lifted from my shoulders when I realized 25 – 50% of the population are like me. They gain energy from within. I have the deepest gratitude for Marti Olsen Laney and her book The Introvert Advantageand for Susan Cain and her recent bestseller, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. They make it clear that an independent nature is valuable and that a few deeply fostered relationships are worth as much as hundreds of acquaintances. Most of all I learned I am not alone in the introspective universe. I can connect with other inwardly focused individuals. I can be useful to those who need help filtering or making space in their life to find meaning.

Once you see the value in your temperament, the world is your oyster. That is crazy exciting! Excitement is grand energy.

4. Work You Love: Ever notice how you skip down the office corridor or stay up until the wee hours of the morning when you immerse yourself in a project that lights up your whole being?

We can and do act out of character in the service of ‘core personal projects.’

~ Susan Cain

I know you are probably sick to death of everyone touting the, Do what you love! mantra. Easier said than done. Time is a factor. Money is another. Maybe you don’t know yourself well enough to know what fuels your soul. All valid arguments. But I’d like to go on record saying that you cannot afford NOT to invest in a dream or passion.

Pay attention to what makes your heart leap and time melt as well as what makes your stomach tighten or your shoulders tense. Reflect on what gave you great amusement in the past. What memories make your face soften and your eyes twinkle? Use your (budding) self-awareness to grow. To conquer fears and learn from mistakes. Lastly, move forward. Change is quick but fighting change is a LONG slow process. According to Jonathon Fields of Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance, there is no sideways in life. Sideways eventually leads to being behind.

Space2live is all about creating time and self-awareness so that you can experience moving, ballistic, joy. Amazing vibrance comes with that.

5. Surround Yourself with Spirited People:This does not mean that all your friends can do backflips or play ten minute guitar solos on stage. This means orbit around folks with inner lights. The ones who get all geeked about their latest discovery. The ones who know themselves and feel comfortable in their own rumpled jeans. These people are better than caffeine. They don’t have to have the same temperament as you either. Mix it up – introverts, extroverts, ambiverts = all good. Hint: Look in places where you feel at home.

Truly life-enhancing companions will draw out your gifts as they practice their own.

My bet is that once you find this kind of tribe you will want to chatter away. You’ll have to hold yourself back so you don’t monopolize the floor. You’ll be effusive and bubbly all over the place.

6. Music:A short note about the power of music. Introverts seem to be extra sensitive to art and music. Although, performing musically might rattle me, listening to it is nirvana. It never fails to lift my mood. Marianne Williamson once said that musicians are like priests as they put everyone in the room on the same heartbeat. Scientifically, it has been proven that levels of dopamine increase when people listen to music they enjoy. A real rush. Who hasn’t went a little bonkers at a concert?

Music can motivate you during a workout. Health clubs have figured out members burn more calories during cardio classes when there is a real drummer playing during the workout. Music is a trigger for more energy. More vitality.

Although I have desired more vitality my whole life, I can truthfully say that I have never felt more energy-filled than I do now. I have employed the above elements. I don’t bounce off the walls (most days) but I do have a consistent source of warm, vibrant energy to draw from. I can lead. I make my own adventures and I feel like I can do anything.

What gives you a burst of liveliness? When was the last time you were effervescent? What would you do with boundless energy?

I think I fall in between the spectrum-ambivert, I can be around people to an extent, like I love workout classes, and workout stuff, the library, swimming, but I also like running and working out by myself, and writing, it’s weird, because I’d like to be a lifeguard, personal trainer, and workout instructor because I love exercising, and want to teach aquatic exercise, spinning, and dance or martial arts, possibly be a health or nutrition coach. I think some stuff is so boring, it’s mind numbing, but I also like being by myself. I also love dogs, and walking them too, and I’ve looked into modeling, but don’t want to be exploited but would do it t get some experience, and to have some connections to do the health and fitness stuff.

I know several introverts who are in the fitness field. They enjoy teaching classes and being personal trainers. They get to work with people then retreat to their own space. Personal trainers get one on one time with clients. I think that would be very rewarding and enjoyable for introverts/ambiverts. Follow your energy! Go where you are excited and effective.:)

Thanks! As a male introvert, I find the challenge of living in an extrovert society especially exhausting. The unspoken message seems to be one of “Real men aren’t introverts”. I’m hopeful change will come.

I do think there is a quiet movement underway to change the prevailing image of the introvert. More and more people are learning the value of an introspective temperament. We have a lot to offer an overstressed, over-stimulated society. We already have the skills to selectively socialize and slow down.

My latest post (Men, Gentleness and Physical Touch…) mentions the beauty of the sensitive and tender male. I believe more men are standing up and openly embracing thoughtfulness and introspection. I know we introverted women appreciate our male counterparts. We are all evolving. Awareness about introversion and sensitivity is part of the evolution.

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. You are absolutely a ‘real man’.:)

I’ve begun reading articles from The Good Men Project. As a woman who is highly turned off by aggressive, showy, or dominant men, I appreciate that they take a different perspective on masculinity, one that allows men to be quiet, thoughtful, emotional, gentle–in short, they allow men to be PEOPLE. You might enjoy some of their articles at http://goodmenproject.com/

I love the Good Men Project! One of the good men in my life introduced me to it.;) I agree TGMP allows men to be fully human. I love the MAN part of men but I also love it when they let their softer side show. I would love to write for TGMP. Thanks for reminding me of its awesomeness.

Oh wow – I too start my day with a small bowl of Kashi cereal ( I had heard that Kashi and Vector were the only protein containing cereals), berries, flax meal and seeds and 1% milk. The sad part of your good breakfast food information is that I will have to change what I thought was a good breakfast choice, but the fun part is knowing that yet again I am so connected to you ( I ate the same breakfast every day lol lol ) and so now I feel that for sure my guardian angel has directed me to your blog. I do not follow any other blogs or social media sites – so it’s not a habit to read and respond, just can’t help myself with you Brenna! Your writings are blessings in my life, thanks again

We are kindred spirits!! It is hard to give up that Kashi habit but I’m doing it! So far I do feel better, which makes it easier to continue. My nutritionist also said to stay away from too much soy. She said it mimics estrogen and can cause unwanted cell growth in females (i.e. cancer). All the protein in Kashi comes from soy. I’m not 100% sure I’m on board about the soy banning but it’s a nugget of info I’ll tuck away. I’m so glad you get good vibes from my writing. Makes me HAPPY!!

A very interesting and inspiring post, thanks for that! :D For fitness, something else which I find very fun and rewarding is dancing…even dancing along with the Wii Game “Just Dance” or learning short moves on YouTube helps; I find that it allows me to learn new moves in the comfort of my home and the fact that I can do this alone with no one watching or judging is also a big + as it encourages me to use my full potential and get sweaty which I suppose is good because it means I have had a good workout.

I love to dance!! You are so right. It is freeing and a good way to get some calories burned. I love anything that involves music, so easy to get lost in it. Moving your body while music tickles your mind – heavenly. Thanks for reminding me.:)

Brenda Knowles

Space2live's purpose is to enhance intimacy in your relationships and give you the confidence to be true to your nature.
Introverted, extroverted. Those that follow their head, those that follow their heart. Space2live is your safe space to evolve.
Renew from the inside here. You are not alone in your desire for less stimulation and more meaning. Space2live encourages you to slow down, pause and reflect on who you are and what you may become. Take the next step toward your highest self. Create space to LIVE.
Creating with You,
Brenda

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